August Spotlight Hours —

 

  • August 2 Hisuian Voltorb 2x Stardust for Catching

 

  • August 9 Nidoran  2x XP for Catching

 

  • August 16 Joltik  2x Candy for Catching

 

  • August 23  Nidoran  2x Candy for Transfer

 

  • August 30  Pidove  2x XP for Evolving



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We are back! Apologies for the few month break but the Play Pokémon Championship series was intense leading up to Worlds in August. The North American International Championship (NAIC Day 1 Recap) was the most stacked tournament to date and did not disappoint. If you are looking to see who has qualified for The Pokémon GO World Championships the link is here.

 

Now without further ado let's get into this edition which will include a concise PvP breakdown on IVs to target and how much to prioritize grinding for XLs during the weekly spotlight hours which occur on Tuesdays between 6pm and 7pm local time

 

GO Stadium has an excellent IV rank checker to show how your Pokémon is ranked, and you can adjust for any way you obtain the Pokémon. The website is linked in the terms section at the bottom along with some helpful explanations of common Pokémon GO phrases if needed.

 

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— August 2 — Hisuian Voltorb Spotlight — 

 

Bonus: 2x Stardust for Catching

Hisuian Voltorb: Electric/Grass - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 1141

Hisuian Electrode: Electric/Grass - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 2430

Weaknesses: Bug, Fire, Ice, Poison

Resistances: Grass, Steel, Water, 2x Electric

Catch Base Stardust: 100 

Evolution Costs: 50 Voltorb Candy > Hisuian Electrode

2nd Charge Move Costs: 50 Voltorb Candy & 50k stardust

2nd Shadow Charge Move Costs: N/A

LC: Hisuian Voltorb: 0/12/14 level 20 

GL: Hisuian Electrode: 1/14/14 level 26.5

UL: Hisuian Electrode: 15/15/15 level 50

ML: N/A

XL Priority: Low

Buddy Distance: 3 KM

Shiny: No

Mega Evolve: Abomasnow, Venusaur, Manectric, Ampharos

 

PVP Considerations:

Hisuian Electrode is a unique Pokémon with its Electric/Grass dual typing. It has yet to truly shine in any particular limited cup format, but is an option worth considering as an Electric-type that has counter-play with the always popular Water/Ground “mudbois”. Be sure to have a good IV version at the ready in case you ever feel the need to use it, and if you don’t have one yet this is an ideal time to hunt one down. Both Kanto Electrode and Hisuian Electrode can be used at Ultra League, but each requires 296 Candy XL and as close to 100% IVs as you can get. If you don’t have either of these requirements for Ultra League, this could be a great chance to try and stock up on these resources. Swap Hisuian Voltorb with a friend to give yourself more chances at getting that 100% IV.










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—  August 9 — Nidoran () Spotlight —

 

Bonus: 2x XP for Catching

Nidoran: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 922

Nidorina: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 1480

Nidoqueen: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 2812

Weaknesses: Ground, Ice, Psychic, Water

Resistances: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, 2x Electric, Poison

Catch Base Stardust: 100

Evolution Costs: 25 NidoranCandy > Nidorina > 100 NidoranCandy > Nidoqueen

2nd Charge Move Costs: 50 NidoranCandy & 50k stardust

2nd Shadow Charge Move Costs: 60 NidoranCandy & 60k stardust

LC: Nidoran: 0/14/13 level 25.5

GL: Nidorina: 15/15/15 level 50

GL: Nidoqueen: 0/15/12 level 23

UL: Nidoqueen: 0/14/15 level 47

ML: N/A

XL Priority: Medium 

Buddy Distance: 3 KM

Shiny: Yes

Mega Evolve: Venusaur, Gengar, Beedrill

 

PVP Considerations:

Nidoqueen is highly meta relevant in both Great League and Ultra League. To achieve her maximum stat product in Ultra League, you will require Candy XL and this is a great chance to hunt those down. Nidoqueen is a strong selection as a shadow and also as a non-shadow, and this spotlight is a great chance to hunt specific IV combinations for the non-shadow version. If you are still on the hunt for Nidoqueen, this spotlight hour is a must-play!

 

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—  August 16 — Joltik Spotlight —

 

Bonus: 2x Candy for Catching

Joltik: Bug/Electric - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 1156

Galvantula: Bug/Electric - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 2494

Weaknesses: Fire, Rock

Resistances: Electric, Fighting, Grass, Water

Evolution Costs: 50 Joltik Candy > Galvantula

2nd Charge Move Costs: 50 Joltik Candy  & 50k stardust

Shadow 2nd Charge Move Costs: N/A

LC: Joltik: 0/15/14 level 19.5

GL: Galvantula: 0/15/15 level 25.5

UL: Galvantula: 15/15/15 level 50

ML: N/A

XL Priority: Medium

Shiny: No

Mega Evolve: Beedrill, Manectric, Ampharos

 

PVP Considerations:

Galvantula is an excellent pick for both Great and Ultra League. It has very low bulk, but makes up for that with its access to the charge attack Lunge which lowers the opposing Pokémon’s attack. This spotlight hour is an absolute must-play if you are still on the hunt for Galvantula. It requires as close to 100% IVs as you can get, as a 100% IV Galvantula hits 2494CP at Level 50. That being said, IV combinations like 13/15/15 can hit 2500CP by using Best Buddy boost to Level 51, which does give a bit more wiggle room for other Iv combinations that can get the job done. Either way, you will likely need the full 296 Candy XL to get the job done, and this is a spectacular opportunity to load up on valuable Joltik Candy XL!

 

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—  August 23 — Nidoran Spotlight —

 

Bonus: 2x Candy for Transferring

Nidoran: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 973

Nidorino: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 1575

Nidoking: Poison/Ground - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 2902

Weaknesses: Ground, Ice, Psychic, Water

Resistances: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, 2x Electric, Poison

Catch Base Stardust: 100

Evolution Costs: 25 NidoranCandy > Nidorino > 100 NidoranCandy > Nidoking

2nd Charge Move Costs: 50 NidoranCandy & 50k stardust

2nd Shadow Charge Move Costs: 60 NidoranCandy & 60k stardust

LC: Nidoran: 0/15/12 level 23.5

GL: Nidorino: 8/15/15 level 49.5

GL: Nidoking: 0/14/15 level 22

UL: Nidoking: 0/14/14 level 44 

ML: N/A

XL Priority: Low

Buddy Distance: 3 KM 

Shiny: Yes

Mega Evolve: Venusaur, Gengar, Beedrill

 

PVP Considerations:

Nidoking is far outshined by Nidoqueen in PvP, as Nidoqueen comes packed with a better moveset and higher bulk. That being said, Nidoking can work as a spicier selection in Great League and Ultra League. It has access to Poison Jab as a powerful fast attack, and can combine Sand Tomb for shield baiting and debuffing alongside a powerful array of charge attacks such as Megahorn, Earth Power, Earthquake, and Sludge Wave.



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—  August 30 — Pidove Spotlight —

 

Bonus: 2x XP for Evolving

Pidove: Normal/Flying - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 958

Tranquil: Normal/Flying - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 1631

Unfezant: Normal/Flying - 15/15/15 level 50 - CP 3091

Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock

Resistances: Bug, Grass, 2x Ghost, Ground

Catch Base Stardust: 100

Evolution Costs: 12 Pidove Candy > Tranquil > 50 NidoranCandy > Unfezant

2nd Charge Move Costs: 10 Pidove Candy & 25k stardust

2nd Shadow Charge Move Costs: N/A

LC: Pidove: 0/15/12 level 24

GL: Tranquil: 2/15/15 level 50

GL: Unfezant: 0/15/14 level 20.5

UL: Unfezant: 2/15/13 level 38 

ML: N/A

XL Priority: Low

Buddy Distance: 1 KM 

Shiny: Yes

Mega Evolve: Kangaskhan, Pidgeot, Charizard Y, Lopunny, Aerodactyl

 

PVP Considerations:

Unfezant is quite unspectacular in PvP, usable as a spice pick at best. Tranquil is not much better, but does come with more bulk than Unfezant does. If you like spicy Great League picks, gather some Candy XL to build a Tranquil. If you like ensuring you have one of every Pokémon in the bag just in case, be sure to stock up on Unfezant with good IV distributions. Otherwise, this spotlight hour is skippable outside of the extra evolution XP or hunting down a shiny Pidove.

 

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— Terms —

 

Spawn rate = How fast Pokémon will show up in a giving time

XP = Experience Points

CP = Combat Power

Catch Base Stardust = Stardust amount before other bonuses are applied

Buddy Distance = Distance needed to walk to gain candy before other bonuses are applied

Pinap = Gives you twice the candy for catching

Silver pinap = Gives you twice the candy for catching and boost to help catching

Stacking = Keeping multiple research rewards to be used later

IVs – Individual Values

Mega Evolve = Pokemon when mega evolved will help gain extra candy

STAB – Same type attack bonus

META – Most effective tactics available

PVE = Player vs Environment – (Raiding/Gym Battles)

PVE - IVs = Individual values for Raiding – as close to 15/15/15 as possible

PVP = Player vs Player

PVP - IVs = Individual values for battling – usually low attack and high defense/stamina

Fast Move = Move used to gain energy for charge move

Charge Move = Move shown on the screen that energy is gained to use

GBL - GO Battle League

LC = Little Cup 500CP and lower 

GL = Great League 1500CP and lower

UL = Ultra League 2500CP and lower

ML = Master League unlimited CP

 

https://www.stadiumgaming.gg/rank-checker